"The familiar symbol of illegal abortion is the infamous “coat hanger” — which may be the symbol, but is in no way a myth. In my years in
New York, several women arrived with a hanger still in place. Whoever put it in — perhaps the patient herself — found it trapped in the cervix and could not remove it.

It is important to remember that Roe v. Wade did not mean that abortions could be performed. They have always been done, dating from
ancient Greek days.

What Roe said was that ending a pregnancy could be carried out by medical personnel, in a medically accepted setting, thus conferring on
women, finally, the full rights of first-class citizens — and freeing their doctors to treat them as such."

Waldo L. Fielding was an obstetrician and gynecologist in Boston for 38 years. He is the author of “Pregnancy: The Best State of the
Union” (Thomas Y. Crowell, 1971).

I am in the process of researching and producing a series of works, "Never Again." For the past five years, I have been troubled by the political process that
is systematically stripping women (and other groups too, but that is a whole other concert) of their basic human rights. There is a general apathy in our lives whenever something does not
directly affect us where we can see it. I know I am guilty myself of having deep feelings about our current political climate, yet not being able to act on it.

I am deeply afraid of the full circle that has come about - women are being told what they can and cannot do with their bodies We are being forced into old
stereotypes with lack of birth control availability, lack of equal rights, and strong legislative opposition that creates a hostile and fearful environment for women.

We have won the right to vote, but we do not. Since the 1900's, our ancestors have fought for our rights to be seen as equal, as humans, yet the majority of
current women lay these rights down willingly by not participating. We fought for our independence through laws that allow us to control our bodies, our reproduction, our lives. And yet,
we are moving towards an age where women are forced to carry babies, where sex and reproduction will no longer be a choice but a means to control us, where once again we are seen as second-class
citizens.

"Never Again" is a commentary on the current political landscape and Texas's notable hostile bills towards women through a vaudevillian lens that nods at the Texas
Legislation as a political circus. Through a series of live performances at political events, dance for film videos with educational messages on Texas Legislation, and an onstage evening length
performance, “Never Again” takes a look at the battle of Texas Legislation against Planned Parenthood, Roe vs Wade, birth control, sex education, and ultimately for fetus personhood. It also
highlights the feminist movement uprisings of 2017, such as the pink pussycat hats and the Handmaid’s Tale protestors; Women and Men who have found a voice through dark wit and humor as opposition to
the government. I hope to bring our attention to our future, and facilitate change in our thinking. Perhaps by exposing my own fear, I can touch others and collectively we can start to act
so that we can remain first-class citizens, humans treated with respect, and retain the ability to make individual choices for ourselves.

I began in 2017 by choreographing three works: a piece to the classic short essay, "Why I Want a Wife," by Judy
Brady. ﻿﻿﻿Published in 1972, "Why I Want a Wife," is a satire on women's perceived roles as a wife and mother; a trio on the 2017 Women's Movement, and two solos on the perception that rape
victims are responsible for the crime of being raped.

Toni Leago Valle

Why I Want a Wife

by Judy Brady

I belong to that classification of people known as wives. I am A Wife. And, not altogether incidentally, I am a mother.

Not too long ago a male friend of mine appeared on the scene fresh from a recent divorce. He had one child, who is, of course, with his ex-wife. He is looking for another wife. As I thought about
him while I was ironing one evening, it suddenly occurred to me that I, too, would like to have a wife. Why do I want a wife?

I would like to go back to school so that I can become economically independent, support myself, and, if need be, support those dependent upon me. I want a wife who will work and send me to
school. And while I am going to school, I want a wife to take care of my children. I want a wife to keep track of the children's doctor and dentist appointments. And to keep track of mine, too. I
want a wife to make sure my children eat properly and are kept clean. I want a wife who will wash the children's clothes and keep them mended. I want a wife who is a good nurturant attendant to my
children, who arranges for their schooling, makes sure that they have an adequate social life with their peers, takes them to the park, the zoo, etc. I want a wife who takes care of the children when
they are sick, a wife who arranges to be around when the children need special care, because, of course, I cannot miss classes at school. My wife must arrange to lose time at work and not lose the
job. It may mean a small cut in my wife's income from time to time, but I guess I can tolerate that. Needless to say, my wife will arrange and pay for the care of the children while my wife is
working.

I want a wife who will take care of my physical needs. I want a wife who will keep my house clean. A wife who will pick up after my children, a wife who will pick up after me. I want a wife who
will keep my clothes clean, ironed, mended, replaced when need be, and who will see to it that my personal things are kept in their proper place so that I can find what I need the minute I need it. I
want a wife who cooks the meals, a wife who is a good cook. I want a wife who will plan the menus, do the necessary grocery shopping, prepare the meals, serve them pleasantly, and then do the
cleaning up while I do my studying. I want a wife who will care for me when I am sick and sympathize with my pain and loss of time from school. I want a wife to go along when our family takes a
vacation so that someone can continue to care for me and my children when I need a rest and change of scene.

I want a wife who will not bother me with rambling complaints about a wife's duties. But I want a wife who will listen to me when I feel the need to explain a rather difficult point I have come
across in my course studies. And I want a wife who will type my papers for me when I have written them

I want a wife who will take care of the details of my social life. When my wife and I are invited out by my friends, I want a wife who will take care of the baby-sitting arrangements. When I meet
people at school that I like and want to entertain, I want a wife who will have the house clean, will prepare a special meal, serve it to me and my friends, and not interrupt when I talk about things
that interest me and my friends. I want a wife who will have arranged that the children are fed and ready for bed before my guests arrive so that the children do not bother us. I want a wife who
takes care of the needs of my guests so that they feel comfortable, who makes sure that they have an ashtray, that they are passed the hors d'oeuvres, that they are offered a second helping of the
food, that their wine glasses are replenished when necessary, that their coffee is served to them as they like it. And I want a wife who knows that sometimes I need a night out by myself.

I want a wife who is sensitive to my sexual needs, a wife who makes love passionately and eagerly when I feel like it, a wife who makes sure that I am satisfied. And, of course, I want a wife who
will not demand sexual attention when I am not in the mood for it. I want a wife who assumes the complete responsibility for birth control, because I do not want more children. I want a wife who will
remain sexually faithful to me so that I do not have to clutter up my intellectual life with jealousies. And I want a wife who understands that my sexual needs may entail more than strict adherence
to monogamy. I must, after all, be able to relate to people as fully as possible.

If, by chance, I find another person more suitable as a wife than the wife I already have, I want the liberty to replace my present wife with another one. Naturally, I will expect a fresh, new
life; my wife will take the children and be solely responsible for them so that I am left free.

When I am through with school and have a job, I want my wife to quit working and remain at home so that my wife can more fully and completely take care of a wife's duties. My God, who wouldn't
want a wife.